scholarly journals Potential for treatment benefit of STING agonists plus immune checkpoint inhibitors in oral squamous cell carcinoma

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chao Zhu ◽  
Jiang Li ◽  
Mianfeng Yao ◽  
Changyun Fang
Keyword(s):  
Squamous Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Immune Checkpoint ◽  
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Biological Pathways ◽  
Immune Microenvironment ◽  
Tumor Immune Microenvironment ◽  
Sting Pathway ◽  
Immune Related Genes

Abstract Background DNA-sensing receptor cyclic GMP–AMP synthase (cGAS) and its downstream signaling effector stimulator of interferon genes (STING) present a novel role in anti-tumor immunity. Recently, the combination of cGAS-STING agonists and immunotherapy achieved promising results in some tumor types. The correlation between cGAS-STING signaling pathway and the tumor immune microenvironment in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is unclear. Methods We utilized RNA sequencing and clinical data of OSCC patients from the TCGA database to investigate the correlation between cGAS-STING signaling pathway and the tumor immune microenvironment. Six cGAS-STING related genes were obtained from previous studies to establish the enrichment score of cGAS-STING pathway. The differences in survival rate, immune cell infiltration, immune-related genes expression and immune-related biological pathways were studied in the cGAS-STING clusters. Results We observed a better prognosis of OSCC patients in the cGAS-STING high cluster. The infiltration ratio of immune cells and the expression profiles of immune-related genes were elevated when the cGAS-STING pathway is activated. The differentially expressed genes between high and low cGAS-STING clusters were enriched in immune-related biological pathways. Conclusions Our findings suggest the potential benefit of combining STING agonists and immune checkpoint inhibitors in OSCC patients.

scholarly journals Tumor immune microenvironment and immune checkpoint inhibitors in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

2020 ◽  
Vol 111 (9) ◽  
pp. 3132-3141
Author(s):  
Yoshifumi Baba ◽  
Daichi Nomoto ◽  
Kazuo Okadome ◽  
Takatsugu Ishimoto ◽  
Masaaki Iwatsuki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Squamous Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Squamous Cell ◽  
Immune Checkpoint ◽  
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Immune Microenvironment ◽  
Tumor Immune Microenvironment

scholarly journals ATR inhibitor AZD6738 enhances the antitumor activity of radiotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors by potentiating the tumor immune microenvironment in hepatocellular carcinoma

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. e000340 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hailong Sheng ◽  
Yan Huang ◽  
Yazhi Xiao ◽  
Zhenru Zhu ◽  
Mengying Shen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
T Cells ◽  
Triple Therapy ◽  
Immune Checkpoint ◽  
Tumor Recurrence ◽  
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Antitumor Effect ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Immune Microenvironment ◽  
Tumor Immune Microenvironment

BackgroundRadioimmunotherapy has a promising antitumor effect in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), depending on the regulatory effect of radiotherapy on tumor immune microenvironment. Ionizing radiation (IR)-induced DNA damage repair (DDR) pathway activation leads to the inhibition of immune microenvironment, thus impairing the antitumor effect of radioimmunotherapy. However, it is unclear whether inhibition of the DDR pathway can enhance the effect of radioimmunotherapy. In this study, we aim to explore the role of DDR inhibitor AZD6738 on the combination of radiotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in HCC.MethodsC57BL/6 mouse subcutaneous tumor model was used to evaluate the ability of different treatment regimens in tumor growth control and tumor recurrence inhibition. Effects of each treatment regimen on the alterations of immunophenotypes including the quantification, activation, proliferating ability, exhaustion marker expression, and memory status were assessed by flow cytometry.ResultsAZD6738 further increased radiotherapy-stimulated CD8+T cell infiltration and activation and reverted the immunosuppressive effect of radiation on the number of Tregs in mice xenografts. Moreover, compared with radioimmunotherapy (radiotherapy plus anti-PD-L1 (Programmed death ligand 1)), the addition of AZD6738 boosted the infiltration, increased cell proliferation, enhanced interferon (IFN)-γ production ability of TIL (tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte) CD8+T cells, and caused a decreasing trend in the number of TIL Tregs and exhausted T cells in mice xenografts. Thus, the tumor immune microenvironment was significantly improved. Meanwhile, triple therapy (AZD6738 plus radiotherapy plus anti-PD-L1) also induced a better immunophenotype than radioimmunotherapy in mice spleens. As a consequence, triple therapy displayed greater benefit in antitumor efficacy and mice survival than radioimmunotherapy. Mechanism study revealed that the synergistic antitumor effect of AZD6738 with radioimmunotherapy relied on the activation of cyclic GMP–AMP synthase /stimulator of interferon genes (cGAS/STING) signaling pathway. Furthermore, triple therapy led to stronger immunologic memory and lasting antitumor immunity than radioimmunotherapy, thus preventing tumor recurrence in mouse models.ConclusionsOur findings indicate that AZD6738 might be a potential synergistic treatment for radioimmunotherapy to control the proliferation of HCC cells, prolong survival, and prevent tumor recurrence in patients with HCC by improving the immune microenvironment.

scholarly journals Neoadjuvant immunotherapy in resectable head and neck cancer: oral cavity carcinoma as a potential research model

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
pp. 175883592098406
Author(s):  
Vanesa Gutiérrez Calderón ◽  
Alexandra Cantero González ◽  
Laura Gálvez Carvajal ◽  
Yolanda Aguilar Lizarralde ◽  
Antonio Rueda Domínguez
Keyword(s):  
Squamous Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Oral Cavity ◽  
Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Head And Neck ◽  
Surgical Resection ◽  
Squamous Cell ◽  
Immune Checkpoint ◽  
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Research Model

Squamous cell carcinoma of oral cavity (OCSCC) accounts for approximately 25% of cases of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Tobacco and alcohol consumption are the main risk factors for both cancers. Surgical resection, combined with adjuvant radiotherapy or radiochemotherapy in patients with high risk of relapse, is the key element in management in the initial stages. However, despite the availability of aggressive multidisciplinary treatments, advanced resectable OCSCC carries poor prognosis; only half of the patients are disease-free 5 years after the surgery. Immunotherapy based on the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors has been proven to be effective in a wide variety of tumours, including recurrent and metastatic HNSCC. These positive results resulted in investigations into its effectiveness in earlier stages of the disease with OCSCC emerging as an interesting research model because of the accessible location of the tumours. This article reviews the potential advantages of emerging immunotherapeutic agents [mainly monoclonal antibodies against programmed cell death-1 ( PD-1) immune checkpoint inhibitors] as neoadjuvant treatment for OCSCC at locoregional stages as well as the ongoing clinical trials, challenges in evaluating tumour response, and possible predictive biomarkers of response with highlights regarding the role of oral microbiota as modulators of immune response. The efficacy and safety of anti- PD-1 drugs in these patients have been proven in preliminary trials. If there is a decrease in the relapse rate and an improvement in the overall survival after surgical resection in ongoing trials, preoperative immunotherapy may be established as a treatment option for patients with early stages of the disease.

scholarly journals Risk Signature Related to Immunotherapy Reaction of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Based on the Immune-Related Genes Associated With CD8+ T Cell Infiltration

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yiping Zou ◽  
Zhihong Chen ◽  
Hongwei Han ◽  
Shiye Ruan ◽  
Liang Jin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Immune Checkpoint ◽  
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Risk Group ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Cell Infiltration ◽  
T Cell Infiltration ◽  
Immune Related Genes

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common histological type of liver cancer, with an unsatisfactory long-term survival rate. Despite immune checkpoint inhibitors for HCC have got glories in recent clinical trials, the relatively low response rate is still a thorny problem. Therefore, there is an urgent need to screen biomarkers of HCC to predict the prognosis and efficacy of immunotherapy.Methods: Gene expression profiles of HCC were retrieved from TCGA, GEO, and ICGC databases while the immune-related genes (IRGs) were retrieved from the ImmPort database. CIBERSORT and WGCNA algorithms were combined to identify the gene module most related to CD8+ T cells in the GEO cohort. Subsequently, the genes in hub modules were subjected to univariate, LASSO, and multivariate Cox regression analyses in the TCGA cohort to develop a risk signature. Afterward, the accuracy of the risk signature was validated by the ICGC cohort, and its relationships with CD8+ T cell infiltration and PDL1 expression were explored.Results: Nine IRGs were finally incorporated into a risk signature. Patients in the high-risk group had a poorer prognosis than those in the low-risk group. Confirmed by TCGA and ICGC cohorts, the risk signature possessed a relatively high accuracy. Additionally, the risk signature was demonstrated as an independent prognostic factor and closely related to the CD8+ T cell infiltration and PDL1 expression.Conclusion: A risk signature was constructed to predict the prognosis of HCC patients and detect patients who may have a higher positive response rate to immune checkpoint inhibitors.

scholarly journals Immune checkpoint inhibitors in sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma

Oral Oncology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 109 ◽  
pp. 104776
Author(s):  
Jong Chul Park ◽  
William C. Faquin ◽  
Julia Durbeck ◽  
Daniel L. Faden
Keyword(s):  
Squamous Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Squamous Cell ◽  
Immune Checkpoint ◽  
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors
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